Eiffel Tower elevator or 674 stairs? How to choose your best route

Viewing the Eiffel from around Paris is one thing, but viewing the city from the top of the tower is another– we’ll leave it to you to decide on which one is more magical! While you can spot the Iron Lady from anywhere in the city (literally, anywhere), the Parisian landscape is best enjoyed atop the Eiffel itself with a side of champagne and croissants. Now that you’ve made up your mind to catch the beautiful vistas of the City of Love, wondering how to reach the top of the Eiffel?

The Eiffel Tower has three floors— the first floor with a glass floor, the second floor with panoramic views and dining, and the summit, the highest point with a champagne bar.

Keep reading to know everything about ascending the tower, whether to take the elevator or the stairs and more in this guide.

Getting to the top: the stairs vs. the elevators

Now that you know what is there to explore inside the Eiffel Tower, wondering how to get there? From the stairs and elevators option, which one is the best for you? Let’s compare the two in detail. 

📌 Taking both the stairs and elevators: is that an option?

As a matter of fact, you definitely can!

If you want the best of both worlds—an active climb and a smooth ride—you must! This option lets you experience the tower from different perspectives: enjoy the sense of accomplishment from climbing and then relax with a lift ride to the top.

What are my ticket options?

You’ll need a stairs + lift ticket, which allows you to climb to the second floor and then take the elevator to the summit. This ticket is a great way to balance exertion and ease.

How far can I go using both?

You can climb 674 steps to the second floor, then take one of the two summit elevators to the very top.

How much time will it take?

The stairs take around 30-45 minutes to reach the second floor, and the elevator ride to the summit takes about 5 minutes.

Looking back: History of the Eiffel stairs and elevators

The Eiffel Tower stairs history 

• Early 1889: Construction of the Eiffel Tower included spiral staircases for access to various levels.
• 15 May 1889: The Eiffel Tower opened to the public during the Paris World Exhibition. At this time, the only way to ascend the tower was by using the stairs.
• 26 May 1889: The first lifts were introduced, offering an alternative to climbing the stairs.
• Original Staircase Details (1889):
  360 steps from the ground floor to the first floor.
  380 steps from the first floor to the second floor.
  1,062 steps from the second floor to the top, although this upper section was not open to the public due to safety concerns.
• Modifications over time:
  The stairs were redesigned and improved for visitor comfort.
  Currently, there are 327 steps to the first floor and 347 steps to the second floor.
  Wide landings were added for rest breaks. The unsafe staircase from the second floor to the top was replaced with a safer, more traditional design.
• Present day: The original historic staircase is preserved and displayed on the first floor, still showcasing its original color.

The Eiffel Tower elevators history 

• 1889: The Eiffel Tower opens with five original elevators, one for each pillar, and one dedicated to the summit. A unique Edoux elevator is introduced to transport visitors between the second and third floors.
• Early 1900s: Hydraulic lifts are renovated for the 1900 World Exhibition. Otis elevators replace the original lifts in the North and South pillars. The Edoux elevator is decommissioned in 1983.
• Mid-20th century: Schneider lifts are installed in the North pillar in 1965. Five-Lille hydraulic elevators remain in operation in the East and West pillars.
• Late 20th century: The North and South pillar elevators are replaced with double cabins in 1983. The original elevators in the North and South pillars are dismantled in 1910.
• Early 21st century: A project to restore the original West pillar elevator begins in 2008. The restoration project is completed in 2014, combining historic charm with modern technology. A new eco-friendly cooling system is implemented to reduce the tower’s carbon footprint.